¹Why rage the heathen? and vain things

why do the people mind?

²Kings of the earth do set themselves,

and princes are combin’d,

To plot against the Lord, and his

Anointed, saying thus,

³Let us asunder break their bands,

and cast their cords from us.

⁴He that in heaven sits shall laugh;

the Lord shall scorn them all.

⁵Then shall he speak to them in wrath,

in rage he vex them shall.

⁶Yet, notwithstanding, I have him

to be my King appointed;

And over Sion, my holy hill,

I have him King anointed.

⁷The sure decree I will declare:

The Lord hath said to me,

Thou art mine only Son; this day

I have begotten thee.

⁸Ask of me, and for heritage

the heathen I’ll make thine;

And, for possession, I to thee

will give earth’s utmost line.

⁹Thou shalt, as with a weighty rod

of iron, break them all;

And, as a potter’s sherd, thou shalt

them dash in pieces small.

¹⁰Now therefore, kings, be wise; be taught,

ye judges of the earth:

¹¹Serve God in fear, and see that ye

join trembling with your mirth.

¹²Kiss ye the Son, lest in his ire

ye perish from the way,

If once his wrath begin to burn:

bless’d all that on him stay.